WEST LIBERTY, Iowa Its been 177 years since Enos Nyce braved what then were the wilds of Iowa to stake a claim in a territory known today as West Liberty.

Today, the hand-hewn log cabin that sheltered Nyces family survives only in the images historians paint to describe those early days.

Nyces story and those of other pioneering West Liberty residents will be recalled throughout 2013 in celebration of West Libertys landmark 175th birthday.

Letha Ottaway, chief operating office for the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce, said the festivities begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, with a kick-off celebration at the West Liberty Community Center, 1204 N. Calhoun St.

The public is welcome, said Ottaway. And we want to extend the invitation to the entire Muscatine County.

The free event includes dinner and historical presentations by West Liberty residents Pam Schnittjer, Jody Dvorak and Bill Koellner. Schnittjer, Dvorak and Koellner will dress in period costumes and portray Rachel Gibson-Nichols, Mary Nyce and William A. Clark, respectively, all of whom were part of the citys history.

Memorabilia, including a picture book People, Places and Things, with photos from the 1930s until now, will be on sale said anniversary celebration chairman John Donnelly.

Donnellys group began meeting a year ago, and separate committees are overseeing activities for the coming months.

We went from six people at our first meetings, to 20 active committee members, said Donnelly.

The group was meeting at the West Liberty Depot, and happily accepted an offer to meet in the spacious West Liberty Foods board room, said Donnelly.

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West Liberty turns 175 in 2013